‘Frank’ now a typhoon; 7 areas under Signal No. 3

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm "Frank" (Fengshen) intensified into a typhoon, even as seven areas in Bicol and Visayas were placed under Storm Signal 3, state weather forecasters said Friday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Frank" also poses a danger to the Eastern Visayas region. In its 11 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said "Frank" was 60 kilometers northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar as of 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and and gustiness of up to 150 kph. "Frank" was moving west northwest at 19 kph and was expected to make landfall over Eastern Samar Friday evening. By Saturday morning, it was expected to be in the vicinity of Albay. By Sunday morning, it is expected to be 100 km east of Baler, Quezon. By Monday morning it is expected to be 110 km East of Aparri, Cagayan. Under Storm Signal 3 are Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, and Catanduanes in Bicol; and Samar provinces, Leyte, and Biliran Island in Visayas. Storm Signal 2 on the other hand, was hoisted over Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte in Bicol; and Southern Leyte, Burias Island and Northern Cebu in Visayas; and Dinagat Island and Siargao Island in Mindanao. Under Storm Signal 1 were Romblon, Marinduque, Southern Quezon and Polillo in Southern Luzon; the rest of Cebu, Bohol, Northern Negros, Capiz, Aklan and Northern Iloilo in Visayas; and Surigao del Norte in Mindanao. "Frank" is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the rest of Southern Luzon, rest of Visayas and Mindanao. Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signal 2 and 3 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone," Pagasa said. - GMANews.TV